NEA president: Senate must follow suit

WASHINGTON - November 07, 2009 -

In a rare Saturday vote, the House of Representatives passed historic health insurance reform legislation by a vote of 220 to 215. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will provide insurance for an estimated 36 million Americans who are currently without basic health care coverage. The House bill meets the goals set out by President Obama. The bill would extend coverage to uninsured Americans, curb the growth of health care costs and provide security and protection for people who already have insurance.

The following may be attributed to NEA President Dennis Van Roekel:

“NEA commends the House Leadership and the Members who voted for this groundbreaking legislation tonight. This bill is paid for without an excise tax -- a tax that would be devastating for America’s middle-class workers. The eight million uninsured children in our country deserve affordable health coverage now. It is crucial that the Senate act swiftly to get a bill to conference so a comprehensive health insurance reform plan paid for without an excise tax can emerge.”

The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization,representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educatorsand students preparing to become teachers.

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